JP2010156482A - Drain pan cleaning device and air conditioner equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drain pan cleaning device capable of automatically removing slime accumulated in a drain pan and an air conditioner including the drain pan cleaning device. <P>SOLUTION: The drain pan cleaning device 31 includes: a drive part 55 having an electric motor 43 and a wind-up member 45 rotated by the drive of the electric motor 43; a wire brush 51 slid on the surface of the drain pan 31; and a wire 49 having one end side mounted to the wind-up member 45 and the other end side to which the wire brush 51 is mounted and driving the wire brush 51 by the drive of the electric motor 43. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drain pan cleaning device and an air conditioner including the same.

  In general, an air conditioner includes a blower, a heat exchanger, and the like inside a casing. The indoor air is sucked into the casing from the suction port provided in the casing by the operation of the blower, and is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, and then blown into the room from the outlet. When the air conditioner is operated for a long period of time, dust contained in the air accumulates in the casing. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes an air conditioner including a fan cleaning device for removing dust from the fan, and Patent Document 2 discloses a filter cleaning function for automatically cleaning dust on a filter. An air conditioner with a mark has been proposed.

In addition, the drain pan disposed below the heat exchanger in the casing accumulates mud (so-called slime) composed of dust, germs, and the like. If this slime accumulates in the vicinity of the drain outlet, the drainage of the drain water will deteriorate and water will easily accumulate in the drain pan. Finally, the drain water cannot be completely drained from the drain outlet and may cause water leakage from the air conditioner. Then, the technique which detects the water level raise of the drain water in a drain pan with a detector is proposed (for example, patent document 3).
JP 2002-267249 A JP 2002-5504 A JP 2003-262355 A

  However, when an abnormality in the water level in the drain pan is detected as described above, it is necessary for a user or a maintenance worker to perform a maintenance operation to remove slime.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drain pan cleaning device capable of automatically removing slime accumulated in the drain pan and an air conditioner including the drain pan cleaning device. There is.

  The drain pan cleaning device of the present invention is for cleaning the drain pan (31) of the air conditioner, and slides the drive means (55) having an electric motor (43) and the surface of the drain pan (31). A cleaning member (51) and one end side are attached to the drive means (55), and the cleaning member (51) is attached to the other end side, and the cleaning member (51) is driven by driving the electric motor (43). A movable arm member (49).

  In this configuration, the cleaning member (51) sliding on the surface of the drain pan (31) is attached to the drive means (55) via the arm member (49), and the cleaning member (51) is driven by the electric motor (43). ) Can be operated and slid on the surface of the drain pan (31), so that the slime accumulated in the drain pan (31) can be automatically removed by the cleaning member (51).

  The driving means (55) further includes a winding member (45) that can rotate in both directions around a rotation axis by driving the electric motor (43), and the arm member (49) has flexibility. The one end side is attached to the winding member (45), and when the winding member (45) rotates in one direction, the winding member (45) winds up the winding member (45). ) Is preferably fed from the winding member (45) when rotated in the other direction.

  In this configuration, since the arm member (49) can be wound or sent out by the rotation of the winding member (45), the arm member (49) and the cleaning member (51) attached thereto can be stably and It can be operated smoothly. Further, when the arm member (49) is wound around the winding member (45) at times other than during cleaning, the entire drain pan cleaning device can be compactly gathered.

  The arm member (49) may have a structure capable of reciprocating the cleaning member (51) by rotation of the winding member (45).

  In this configuration, the cleaning member (51) can be reciprocated according to the movement of the winding and feeding of the arm member (49) by the rotation of the winding member (45). The slime can be effectively removed by reciprocating on the surface of 31).

  Specifically, the flexible arm member (49) includes, for example, a wire, and the cleaning member (51) includes, for example, a wire brush.

  The air conditioner of the present invention includes a heat exchanger (19), a drain pan (31) disposed below the heat exchanger (19) and having a drain outlet (33) through which drain water is drained, and the drain pan. The drain pan cleaning device (41) disposed above (31) and a control means (75a) for controlling the drain pan cleaning device (41).

  In this configuration, since the air conditioner includes the drain pan cleaning device (41) described above, slime accumulated in the drain pan (31) can be automatically removed. Thereby, the maintenance work by the user or the worker of the maintenance contractor becomes unnecessary, or the frequency of the maintenance work can be reduced.

  The drain pan cleaning device (41) is disposed obliquely above the drain outlet (33), and the arm member (49) is sent obliquely downward to remove the cleaning member (51) from the drain outlet (33). You may be comprised so that it may move.

  In this configuration, since the drain pan cleaning device (41) is disposed obliquely above the drain outlet (33), when the drain pan cleaning device (41) is not used, the drain water collected in the drain pan (31) is drain pan cleaning device ( On the other hand, the cleaning member (51) can be sent obliquely downward from the upper side of the drain outlet (33) toward the drain outlet (33). The cleaning member (51) sent obliquely downward can selectively clean the vicinity of the drain outlet (33), in which slime easily accumulates. Moreover, the structure in which the cleaning member (51) is sent obliquely downward can increase the pressing force for pressing the cleaning member (51) against the bottom surface of the drain pan (31), so that the cleaning member (51) can be moved horizontally. The cleaning effect can be further improved as compared with the delivery structure.

  The drain pan (31) further includes a tubular drain socket (35) communicating with the drain outlet (33) and extending from the drain outlet (33) to the outside of the drain pan (31). The arm member (49) may be configured such that the cleaning member (51) slides on the inner surface of the drain socket (35).

  Usually, the drain outlet (33) and the tubular drain socket (35) connected to the drain outlet (33) have a small inner diameter, so that slime easily collects and is difficult to clean. In this configuration, since the cleaning member (51) slides on the inner surface of the drain socket (35), it is possible to effectively clean the drain outlet (33) and the drain socket (35) where slime easily collects.

  The said control means (75a) may perform the washing | cleaning of the said drain pan (31) at the time of the operation start of an air conditioning apparatus, and at the time of an operation stop.

  Thus, the drain pan (31) can be periodically cleaned by cleaning the drain pan (31) at least at the time of starting and stopping the operation.

  The air conditioner of the present invention further includes a float switch (39) for detecting the level of drain water in the drain pan (31), and the control means (75a) receives a signal from the float switch (39). In this case, the drain pan (31) may be washed.

  In this configuration, when the signal from the float switch (39) is detected, that is, when it is detected that the drain water has actually accumulated in the drain pan (31) more than a predetermined amount, the drain pan (31) is washed. When the actual cleaning is required, the cleaning can be executed in a timely manner.

  The control means (75a) detects that the operation mode is a cooling operation, detects that the sensible heat ratio is less than 1, or detects that the air in the apparatus is less than the dew point, and a timer. The drain pan (31) may be cleaned when it is detected that the elapsed time from the previous cleaning measured by the above is a predetermined value or more.

  In this configuration, since the drain pan (31) is washed when the above-described conditions for easily generating drain water are satisfied, it is possible to effectively suppress the drain water from being excessively accumulated in the drain pan (31). .

  When the control means (75a) detects that the operation mode is the heating operation and detects that the number of defrosting operations measured by the operation number measuring means is a predetermined value or more, the drain pan You may perform the washing | cleaning of (31). The air conditioner of the present invention further includes a humidifier, and the control means (75a) detects that the operation mode is a heating operation and detects the operation of the humidifier. The drain pan (31) may be cleaned.

  In these configurations, since the drain pan (31) is washed when the above-described conditions are met, the drain water (31) is likely to accumulate in the drain pan (31) even during the heating operation, so that the drain water is excessively accumulated in the drain pan (31). Can be effectively suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the cleaning member that slides the surface of the drain pan is attached to the driving means via the arm member, and the cleaning member can be operated by driving the electric motor. The slime accumulated in the drain pan can be automatically removed by the cleaning member. Thereby, a complicated maintenance work becomes unnecessary or the work frequency can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 71 according to the present embodiment includes an indoor unit 25 and an outdoor unit 73. The air conditioner 71 includes a heat exchanger 19 disposed in the indoor unit 25, a compressor 75, a heat exchanger 77 and an expansion valve 79 disposed in the outdoor unit 73, and piping connecting them. A refrigerant circuit is provided. The indoor unit 25 includes a drain pan 31 disposed below the heat exchanger 19.

  The air conditioner 71 can switch between a cooling operation and a heating operation by switching the flow direction of the refrigerant by a four-way switching valve 87 arranged in a part of the piping of the refrigerant circuit. The indoor unit 25 and the outdoor unit 73 are provided with blowers 17 and 81, respectively. The operation of the indoor unit 25 and the outdoor unit 73 is controlled by the control unit 75. The control unit 75 includes an indoor control unit (control means) 75 a that controls the operation of the indoor unit 25.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic structure around the drain pan 31 in the indoor unit 25, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drain pan 31 has a flat and shallow dish-like shape and receives condensed water (drain water) generated in the heat exchanger 19.

  The drain pan 31 has a drain outlet 33 for discharging drain water to the outside, and a drain socket 35 that communicates with the drain outlet 33 and extends outward from the drain outlet 33. . A drain pipe 37 is connected to the drain socket 35. A float switch 39 that detects the water level of the drain water in the drain pan 31 is disposed in the vicinity of the inner wall in the drain pan 31.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a drain pan cleaning device 41 is disposed on the drain pan 31. The cleaning device 41 includes a drive unit 55, a wire 49 whose one end is connected to the drive unit 55, and a wire brush 51 provided on the other end side of the wire 49. The cleaning device 41 is disposed obliquely above the drain outlet 33, and in a state where the whole is inclined so that the delivery direction of the wire 49 faces the drain outlet 33, the cleaning device 41 is connected to the indoor unit 25 via a support member (not shown). It is supported by the inner wall of the casing.

  The drive unit 55 serves as a pedestal for the electric motor 43, a cylindrical winding member 45 that can rotate in both directions around the rotation shaft 53 by driving the electric motor 43, and the electric motor 43 and the winding member 45. A guide member 47 that also serves to guide the moving direction of the wire 49 by inserting the wire 49 therein is provided.

  One end of the wire 49 is fixed to the winding member 45. When the winding member 45 rotates in one direction, the wire 49 is wound around the winding member 45, and when the winding member 45 rotates in the other direction. To the drain outlet 33 from the winding member 45. Thus, the wire 49 is flexible enough to be wound around the winding member 45.

  In addition, the wire 49 can be maintained in an obliquely downward direction until the wire brush 51 contacts the bottom surface of the drain pan 31 after being fed toward the drain outlet 33 along the guide direction by the guide member 47. It is preferable to have sufficient rigidity. Thereby, the wire brush 51 can be moved more accurately toward the drain outlet 33.

  Furthermore, after the wire brush 51 contacts the bottom surface of the drain pan 31, the wire 49 can be bent in a direction along the bottom surface and can be changed in a substantially horizontal direction toward the drain outlet 33, and the wire 49 can be wound up. When the wire brush 51 is pulled back, it is preferable to have flexibility and elasticity so that the bent wire 49 extends as it is when the wire brush 51 leaves the bottom surface.

  The wire brush 51 is configured by arranging a plurality of wires radially with the wire 49 as a center. The outer diameter of the wire brush 51 is designed to be larger than the inner diameters of the drain outlet 33 and the drain socket 35. Each wire constituting the wire brush 51 can bend or bend along the inner surface of the drain outlet 33 and the drain socket 35 and has a shape when pulled out from the drain outlet 33 and the drain socket 35. It is flexible and elastic so that it can be restored.

  As the wire 49 and the wire brush 51, various materials such as metals such as iron and stainless steel, and synthetic resins can be used. The wire 49 may be a bundle of a plurality of wires made of the above materials or the like so as to impart the above-described appropriate rigidity, flexibility, and elasticity, or may be a stranded wire with a plurality of wires. .

  Next, the operation of the drain pan cleaning device 41 will be described. When the motor 43 is driven and the winding member 45 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3, the wire 49 is sent obliquely downward, and is deflected downward by the weight of the wire 49 and the weight of the wire brush 51 toward the drain outlet 33. And contact the bottom surface of the drain pan 31 in the vicinity of the drain outlet 33 or in front of it.

  When the winding member 45 is continuously rotated counterclockwise, the wire 49 bends or bends and the wire brush 51 advances in a substantially horizontal direction along the bottom surface of the drain pan 31. As shown in FIG. It is inserted into the drain outlet 33.

  When the wire brush 51 is inserted into the drain socket 35 through the drain outlet 33 to some extent, when the winding member 45 is rotated clockwise by reversing the driving direction of the electric motor 43, the wire 49 is wound around the winding member 45. The wire brush 51 is pulled back.

  When the wire member 51 is pulled back to some extent, when the driving direction of the electric motor 43 is reversed again and the winding member 45 is rotated counterclockwise, the wire brush 51 advances again in the drain socket 35 toward the drain pipe 37 side. .

  By repeating such an operation, the wire brush 51 can be reciprocated in the drain outlet 33 and the drain socket 35. Thereby, the slime 61 deposited on the drain outlet 33 and the drain socket 35 is removed and discharged through the drain pipe 37.

  As described above, the drain pan cleaning device 41 according to the above embodiment includes the drive unit 55 having the electric motor 43, the cleaning member 51 that slides the surface of the drain pan 31, and one end side attached to the drive unit 55 and the other end. The cleaning member 51 is attached to the side, and the arm member 49 that can move the cleaning member 51 by driving the electric motor 43 is provided. Therefore, the cleaning member 51 can automatically remove slime accumulated in the drain pan 31. it can.

  In the above embodiment, the drive unit 55 further includes the winding member 45 that can rotate in both directions around the rotation shaft 53 by driving the electric motor 43, and the arm member 49 has flexibility, and has one end. The side is attached to the take-up member 45 and is taken up by the take-up member 45 when the take-up member 45 rotates in one direction, and sent out from the take-up member 45 when the take-up member 45 rotates in the other direction. Therefore, the arm member 49 and the cleaning member 51 attached thereto can be operated stably and smoothly. Further, when the arm member 49 is wound around the winding member 45 at times other than the time of cleaning, the drain pan cleaning device 41 itself can be compactly gathered.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the arm member 49 has a structure in which the cleaning member 51 can be reciprocated by the rotation of the winding member 45. Therefore, the slime can be effectively moved by reciprocating the cleaning member 51 on the surface of the drain pan 31. Can be removed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, since the arm member 49 is a wire and the washing | cleaning member 51 is a wire brush, moderate flexibility, elasticity, and rigidity can be provided, and it is cheap.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the air conditioning apparatus 71 is arrange | positioned under the heat exchanger 19, the heat exchanger 19, the drain pan 31 which has the drain outlet 33 from which drain water 63 is drained, and the drain pan 31 above. Since the drain pan cleaning device 41 and the indoor control unit 75a that controls the drain pan cleaning device 41 are provided, slime accumulated in the drain pan 31 can be automatically removed. Thereby, the maintenance work by the user or the maintenance contractor becomes unnecessary, or the frequency of the maintenance work can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the drain pan cleaning device 41 is disposed obliquely above the drain outlet 33, and the arm member 49 is configured to be sent obliquely downward to move the cleaning member 51 to the drain outlet 33. Therefore, when not in use, there is an advantage that the drain water 63 collected in the drain pan 31 does not easily adhere to the drain pan cleaning device 41, but when used, the drain pan 33 is cleaned obliquely downward from the drain outlet 33 toward the drain outlet 33. The member 51 can be sent out. The cleaning member 51 sent obliquely downward can selectively clean the vicinity of the drain outlet 33 where slime is likely to accumulate. In addition, since the cleaning member 51 is sent obliquely downward, the force for pressing the cleaning member 51 against the bottom surface of the drain pan can be increased, so that the cleaning effect can be further improved compared to the horizontal movement. .

  In the above embodiment, the drain pan 31 further includes the tubular drain socket 35 that communicates with the drain outlet 33 and extends from the drain outlet 33 to the outside of the drain pan 31, and the arm member 49 is cleaned. Since the member 51 is configured to slide on the inner surface of the drain socket 35, the drain outlet 33 and the drain socket 35 that are likely to accumulate slime can be effectively cleaned.

  Next, the control flow of the air conditioner 71 according to the present embodiment will be described.

<Control example 1>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control example 1 of the air conditioner 71. In the present control example 1, when the operation of the air conditioner 71 is started as shown in FIG. 5, the indoor control unit 75a performs the cleaning of the drain pan 31 in step S1. Specifically, the indoor control unit 75a drives the electric motor 43 to send out the wire 49 from the winding member 45, and reciprocates the wire brush 51 with the wire brush 51 inserted into the drain outlet 33 and the drain socket 35. The drain outlet 33 and the inner surface of the drain socket 35 are cleaned.

  When the cleaning of the drain pan 31 is completed, in step S2, the indoor control unit 75a starts a normal operation (cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidifying operation, etc.).

  In step S3, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to stop the operation from the user. When the user gives an instruction to stop the operation, the indoor control unit 75a ends the operation of the air conditioner 71. When the user has not given an instruction to stop the operation, the indoor control unit 75a continues the normal operation and makes a determination in step S3. repeat.

  In the control example 1, the indoor control unit 75a performs the cleaning of the drain pan 31 at the start of the operation of the air conditioner 71, so that the drain pan 31 can be periodically cleaned.

<Control example 2>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control example 2 of the air conditioner 71. In the present control example 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the drain pan 31 is washed when the operation of the air conditioner 71 is stopped.

  When the operation of the air conditioner 71 is started, the indoor control unit 75a continues the normal operation until an instruction to stop the operation is received from the user during the normal operation. In step S11, the instruction to stop the operation is received from the user. If YES in step S12, the flow advances to step S12, and the drain pan 31 is cleaned in the same manner as in Control Example 1. When the cleaning of the drain pan 31 is completed, the indoor control unit 75a ends the operation of the air conditioner 71.

  In the control example 2, the indoor control unit 75a performs the cleaning of the drain pan 31 when the operation of the air conditioner 71 is stopped, so that the drain pan 31 can be periodically cleaned.

  The control example 2 may be combined with the control example 1 described above. That is, the indoor control unit 75a may perform the cleaning of the drain pan 31 both when the operation of the air conditioner 71 is started and when the operation is stopped.

<Control example 3>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control example 3 of the air conditioner 71. In the third control example, the drain pan 31 is washed based on the water level in the drain pan 31.

  When the operation of the air conditioner 71 is started, in step S21, the indoor control unit 75a proceeds to step S22 until the user gives an instruction to stop the operation, and continues the operation, and the user gives an instruction to stop the operation. In the case, the operation is terminated.

  In step S22, the indoor control unit 75a determines whether or not the drain water level in the drain pan 31 is equal to or higher than a predetermined height. The water level in the drain pan 31 is detected by the float switch 39. When the water level in the drain pan 31 reaches a predetermined height, the indoor control unit 75a receives the signal from the float switch 39, and proceeds to step S23. If the water level in the drain pan 31 has not reached the predetermined height, the process returns to step S21.

  In step S23, the indoor control unit 75a performs the cleaning of the drain pan 31 as in the control example 1. When the cleaning of the drain pan 1 is completed, the indoor control unit 75a returns to step S21 and repeats the above determination.

  In this control example 3, the air conditioner 71 further includes a float switch 39 that detects the water level of the drain water 63 in the drain pan 31, and when the indoor control unit 75a receives a signal from the float switch 39, the drain pan Since the cleaning of 31 is executed, the cleaning can be executed with good timing when the cleaning is actually required.

<Control example 4>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control example 4 of the air conditioner 71. In the present control example 4, the indoor control unit 75a includes a timer for measuring the cumulative operation time from the previous drain pan 31 cleaning.

  When the operation of the air conditioner 71 is started, the indoor control unit 75a determines the operation mode instructed by the user in step S31. The indoor control unit 75a proceeds to step S32 when the operation mode is a cooling operation, and proceeds to step S38 when the operation mode is an operation other than the cooling operation (such as a heating operation or a dehumidifying operation). In step S38, the indoor control unit 75a determines whether or not there is an instruction to stop the operation from the user, and continues the operation of the air conditioner 71 until there is an instruction. Exit.

  In step S32, the indoor control unit 75a continues to operate until the user instructs to stop the cooling operation, and proceeds to step S33. If the user instructs to stop the cooling operation, the indoor control unit 75a End driving.

  In step S33, it is determined whether or not the cooling operation has a sensible heat ratio (SHF) of less than 1. When SHF = 1, since drain water is not generated even during the cooling operation, the indoor control unit 75a does not perform the cleaning of the drain pan 31, and returns to step S32. On the other hand, if SHF <1, the indoor control unit 75a proceeds to step S34. The determination of the sensible heat ratio may be performed based on data detected by a sensor that measures the temperature and humidity of the intake air provided in the casing of the indoor unit, for example.

  In step S34, the indoor control unit 75a determines whether or not the elapsed time of the timer (the accumulated operation time since the previous drain pan 31 cleaning) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the timer elapsed time is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the indoor control unit 75a determines that the time is appropriate for performing the cleaning of the drain pan 31, and proceeds to step S35, where the timer elapsed time is less than the predetermined value. If there is, the drain pan 31 is not washed and the process returns to step S32.

  In step S35, the indoor control unit 75a performs the cleaning of the drain pan 31 in the same manner as in control example 1, and then resets the measurement time of the timer in step S36. In step S37, the normal cooling operation is resumed, and step S32 Return to and repeat the above determination.

  In this control example 4, the indoor control unit 75a detects that the operation mode is a cooling operation, detects that the sensible heat ratio is a cooling operation with a sensible heat ratio of less than 1, and performs a previous cleaning time measured by a timer. Since the drain pan is washed when it is detected that the elapsed time from the time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is possible to effectively prevent the drain water from accumulating excessively in the drain pan.

<Control example 5>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control example 5 of the air conditioner 71. In the present control example 5, the indoor control unit 75a includes a counter for measuring the cumulative number of defrosting operations from the previous drain pan 31 cleaning.

  When the operation of the air conditioner 71 is started, the indoor control unit 75a determines the operation mode instructed by the user in step S41. The indoor control unit 75a proceeds to step S42 when the operation mode is the heating operation, and proceeds to step S49 when the operation mode is an operation other than the heating operation (cooling operation, dehumidifying operation, etc.). In step S49, the indoor control unit 75a determines whether or not there is an instruction to stop the operation from the user, and continues the operation of the air conditioner 71 until the instruction is given. Exit.

  In step S42, the indoor control unit 75a continues the operation until the user instructs to stop the heating operation, and proceeds to step S43. If the user instructs to stop the heating operation, the indoor control unit 75a End driving.

  In step S43, the indoor control unit 75a determines whether or not there is an instruction for the defrosting operation from the user, and if there is an instruction for the defrosting operation, the process proceeds to step S44, and there is no instruction for the defrosting operation. Return to step S42.

  In step S44, the indoor control unit 75a determines whether or not the counter value (the cumulative defrosting operation count since the previous drain pan 31 cleaning) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the counter value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the indoor control unit 75a determines that it is a suitable time for performing the cleaning of the drain pan 31, and proceeds to step S45, where the counter value is less than the predetermined value. If there is, the process proceeds to step S47 without performing the cleaning of the drain pan 31.

  In step S45, the indoor control unit 75a performs the cleaning of the drain pan 31 in the same manner as in control example 1, and then resets the counter value in step S46, and proceeds to step S47.

  After executing the defrosting operation in step S47, the indoor control unit 75a resumes the normal heating operation in step S48, returns to step S42, and repeats the above determination.

  In this control example 5, the indoor control unit 75a detects that the operation mode is the heating operation, and detects that the number of defrosting operations measured by the operation number measuring means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In addition, since the drain pan 31 is washed, the drain pan can be washed when the above conditions are satisfied, so that the drain water can easily accumulate in the drain pan even during the heating operation, and the drain water is excessively accumulated in the drain pan. Can be effectively suppressed.

<Control example 6>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control example 6 of the air conditioner 71. In the present control example 6, the air conditioner 71 includes a humidifier (not shown).

  When the operation of the air conditioner 71 is started, the indoor control unit 75a determines the operation mode instructed by the user in step S51. The indoor control unit 75a proceeds to step S52 when the operation mode is the heating operation, and proceeds to step S59 when the operation mode is an operation other than the heating operation (such as a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation). In step S59, the indoor control unit 75a determines whether or not there is an instruction to stop the operation from the user, and continues the operation of the air conditioner 71 until there is an instruction. Exit.

  In step S52, the indoor control unit 75a continues the operation until the user gives an instruction to stop the heating operation, and proceeds to step S53. If the user gives an instruction to stop the heating operation, the indoor control unit 75a End driving.

  In step S53, the indoor control unit 75a determines whether or not the humidifier needs to be operated. Whether or not the humidifier needs to be operated is determined based on, for example, whether or not the user gives an instruction to operate the humidifier. Whether or not the humidity in the room is detected by a hygrometer (not shown) and the humidity is below a predetermined value. For example, the determination can be made based on various determination criteria. The indoor control unit 75a proceeds to step S54 when determining that the humidifier operation is necessary, and returns to step S52 when determining that the humidifier operation is not necessary.

  In step S54, the indoor control unit 75a performs the cleaning of the drain pan 31 in the same manner as in Control Example 1, and then starts the operation of the humidifier in step S55 and proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, the indoor control unit 75a determines whether the humidifier needs to be stopped. Whether or not the humidifier needs to be stopped is determined based on, for example, whether or not there is an instruction to stop the humidifier from the user. For example, the determination can be made based on various determination criteria. When it is determined that the humidifier may be stopped, the indoor control unit 75a proceeds to step S57 to stop the humidifier, then resumes normal heating operation in step S58, returns to step S52, and performs the above determination. repeat.

  In this control example 6, the air conditioner 71 further includes a humidifier, and when the indoor control unit 75a detects that the operation mode is the heating operation and detects the operation of the humidifier, the drain pan 31 Therefore, the drain pan can be washed when the above conditions are easily met, even during heating operation, and drain water can be effectively collected in the drain pan. Can be suppressed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the arm member and the cleaning member are reciprocally moved has been described as an example. However, for example, the cleaning member is rotated by rotating the arm member around the longitudinal axis by a driving unit. Also good. By making such a rotational movement, for example, the inner surface of a tubular member such as a drain outlet, a drain socket, and a drain pipe can be effectively cleaned.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the arm member is a wire and the cleaning member is a wire brush has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the arm member includes, for example, a plurality of rod-shaped members. It may be connected and the connecting part may be indirectly rotatable, and the cleaning member may have various forms such as a sponge-like member and a brush-like member.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the drain outlet and the inside of the drain socket are cleaned by the cleaning member has been described as an example. However, the cleaning site is not limited to these, and various sites such as the bottom surface of the drain pan. Can be washed.

  In the above-described embodiment, in Control Example 4, the case where the sensible heat ratio is less than 1 is described as an example of whether or not the drain pan cleaning is performed as one of the determination criteria. In the control example 4, instead of determining whether or not the sensible heat ratio shown in step S33 of FIG. 8 is less than 1, for example, whether or not the air in the air conditioner is less than the dew point is used as a determination criterion. Also good. If the air in the air conditioner is less than the dew point, dew condensation occurs and drain water tends to accumulate in the drain pan. In such cases, the drain pan is washed to prevent excessive drain water from accumulating in the drain pan. it can. Whether or not the air in the air conditioner is less than the dew point can be detected by, for example, a sensor that measures temperature and humidity provided in the indoor unit.

  In addition, as in the above-described embodiment, the control examples 1 to 6 may be independent controls, but the control of the drain pan cleaning apparatus is executed by combining two or more selected from these control examples 1 to 6. May be.

It is a lineblock diagram showing the air harmony device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the drain pan periphery in the indoor unit of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 2, and has shown the state when the drain pan washing apparatus is not used. It is sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of use of a drain pan washing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control example 1 of an air conditioning apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control example 2 of an air conditioning apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control example 3 of an air conditioning apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the example 4 of control of an air conditioning apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control example 5 of an air conditioning apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control example 6 of an air conditioning apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

17 Blower 19 Heat Exchanger 25 Indoor Unit 31 Drain Pan 33 Drain Outlet 35 Drain Socket 37 Drain Piping 39 Float Switch 41 Drain Pan Cleaning Device 43 Electric Motor 45 Winding Member 47 Guide Member 49 Arm Member 51 Cleaning Member 53 Rotating Shaft 55 Drive Unit 61 Slime 63 Drain water 71 Air conditioner 73 Outdoor unit 75 Control unit 75a Indoor control unit

Claims (12)

An apparatus for cleaning a drain pan (31) of an air conditioner,
Drive means (55) having an electric motor (43);
A cleaning member (51) sliding on the surface of the drain pan (31);
One end side is attached to the drive means (55), the other end side is attached to the cleaning member (51), and the cleaning member (51) can be moved by driving the electric motor (43). And a drain pan cleaning device. The drive means (55) further includes a winding member (45) that is rotatable in both directions around a rotation axis by driving the electric motor (43).
The arm member (49) has flexibility, the one end side is attached to the winding member (45), and the winding member (45) is rotated when the winding member (45) rotates in one direction. The drain pan cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is fed out from the winding member (45) when the winding member (45) is rotated in the other direction.   The drain pan cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the arm member (49) can reciprocate the cleaning member (51) by rotation of the winding member (45).   The drain pan cleaning apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the arm member (49) is a wire, and the cleaning member (51) is a wire brush. A heat exchanger (19);
A drain pan (31) disposed below the heat exchanger (19) and having a drain outlet (33) through which drain water is drained;
The drain pan cleaning device (41) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, disposed above the drain pan (31),
An air conditioner comprising: a control means (75a) for controlling the drain pan cleaning device (41).   The drain pan cleaning device (41) is disposed obliquely above the drain outlet (33), and the arm member (49) is sent obliquely downward to remove the cleaning member (51) from the drain outlet (33). The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the air conditioner is configured to be moved to the position.   The drain pan (31) further includes a tubular drain socket (35) communicating with the drain outlet (33) and extending from the drain outlet (33) to the outside of the drain pan (31). The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the arm member (49) is configured such that the cleaning member (51) slides on an inner surface of the drain socket (35).   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the control means (75a) performs the cleaning of the drain pan (31) at least when the operation of the air conditioner is started and when the operation is stopped. A float switch (39) for detecting the level of drain water in the drain pan (31);
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the control means (75a) performs cleaning of the drain pan (31) when receiving a signal from the float switch (39). The control means (75a)
Detect that the operation mode is cooling operation,
Detecting a cooling operation with a sensible heat ratio of less than 1 or that the air in the air conditioner is less than the dew point; and
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the drain pan (31) is cleaned when it is detected that an elapsed time from the previous cleaning measured by a timer is a predetermined value or more. . The control means (75a)
Detecting that the operation mode is heating operation, and
The air conditioning according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the drain pan (31) is washed when it is detected that the number of defrosting operations measured by the operation number measuring means is a predetermined value or more. apparatus. Further equipped with a humidifier,
The control means (75a)
Detecting that the operation mode is heating operation, and
The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein when the operation of the humidifier is detected, the drain pan (31) is washed.

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